Fact Check: The University of Houston should be renamed George Floyd University.

Fact Check: "The University of Houston should be renamed George Floyd University."

What We Know

The claim originates from a recent statement made by University of Houston professor David McNally during the Socialism 2025 conference held in Chicago. McNally proposed renaming the University of Houston to "George Floyd University" as part of a broader vision for the institution. He emphasized the need to honor George Floyd, who grew up in the Third Ward of Houston, and suggested that the university should become a resource for the local community (Fox News, Yahoo).

In his remarks, McNally articulated a vision of "de-stateification" for the university, which included proposals to abolish tuition and grades, and to replace campus police with democratically elected safety committees (Fox News). He also reflected on the social movements that emerged following Floyd's death in May 2020, suggesting that the university could play a pivotal role in fostering community engagement and activism (Yahoo).

The University of Houston administration responded to McNally's comments, stating that his views do not represent the official stance of the university, although they acknowledged his right to express his opinions as a faculty member (Fox News).

Analysis

The claim that the University of Houston should be renamed to honor George Floyd is based on McNally's public statements and proposals, which are well-documented in multiple news sources. The primary source of this claim is McNally's speech at the Socialism 2025 conference, where he explicitly stated his vision for the university (Fox News, Yahoo).

While McNally's proposal is provocative and reflects a specific ideological perspective, it is important to note that it does not represent a formal initiative or decision by the University of Houston. The university administration has distanced itself from McNally's views, indicating that they do not align with the institution's official policies (Fox News). This distinction is crucial in evaluating the claim, as it highlights the difference between an individual's proposal and the university's institutional stance.

The sources reporting on this claim, including Fox News and Yahoo, are generally reliable but may exhibit bias based on their editorial slants. Fox News, for instance, is known for its conservative viewpoint, which could influence the framing of McNally's proposals (Fox News). However, the factual basis of McNally's statements is corroborated across multiple platforms, lending credibility to the claim that he did indeed propose the renaming.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that the University of Houston should be renamed George Floyd University is true in the context that it reflects the actual proposal made by Professor David McNally during a public conference. While this proposal does not represent the official position of the university, it accurately captures McNally's vision and the discussions surrounding the legacy of George Floyd in relation to the university's role in the community.

Fact Check: The University of Houston should be renamed George Floyd University.